Isn't this <U>exactly</U> what a lot of us have been saying all along??? Nice to see it in print, and from an authority like Loren Duncan!

"I think the Honda has a more rideable, dual-sport powerband. It's a hybrid, not a motorcrosser like the Yamaha YFZ450. <u>The Honda is a better quad every single place except on the MX course</u>. The YFZ is a closed-course bike. Everywhere else the Honda is better."

Front end......."The Honda's front end is A-plus stock."

Weaknesses........"The rear shock. The top shock mount is in the wrong position and puts stress on the shock design---the shock is not long enough for the stock mounting position.................The 450R shock setup is similar to the 400EX. That is why it's not doing well in MX." (ATV Action, November 04, pg. 94)

My personal notes.........I have the damping on my rear shock all the way in, on the slowest rebound setting there is, and still I am getting bucked in the big desert whoops. I hope the aftermarket shock manufacturers are going to address this, and give us a fix!!! My next mod will definitely be a new rear shock! But, it will have to be the RIGHT shock!